I should say this outright - I don't like to cook…read more I find it taxing and stressful, so with that in mind, you'd think I would hate the Kitchen Catering Utensils store, but I'm strangely drawn to its mesmerising arts-and-crafts-like setup - rows upons rows of multifarious items I never knew existed but must now have because it'll make my lacklustre attempts at cooking that much easier. Decked out on two expansive floors, the Kitchens store is an emporium dedicated to the culinary art, whose sensual powers appears to have eluded me; but fear not, like I said, even if you hate cooking, I bet you can find something here that piques your interest, whether it's espresso machines or cake decorating paraphernalia. I think it's the largest kitchen supply store of its kind in Cardiff, so if they don't have it, I'd say your best bet is to take your hunt online.

Kitchen's is amazing. It has every gadget for your kitchen you never realised you wanted until you…read moresaw it here. There are 2 floors dedicated to everything from plates to blow torches. I happen to be a bit of a cake making enthusiast and they have a good range of tins as well as lots of decorations to top them off. Me and mum often play the guess the gadget game in here and try and work out what things do. The staff will helpfully explain if you really want to know. I could spend a fortune, I just need a bigger kitchen now!

Good value for money, no queues at the till, staff seem informed and helpfull, great choice of…read moreproducts for both trade and DIY'ers, Everything you need under one roof! recommended!

Used to be one of the best trade/DIY stores about, sadly no longer the case. A wide range of goods…read moreused to be stocked making it suitable for both the professional and DIY customer, however the focus now seems to be on selling kitchens and conservatories.

I bought some furniture from here (a sofa and armchair) and was delighted with the in-store…read moreservice. The staff are very helpful and friendly. There were a lot of bargains on offer at the time - they frequently have sales and reductions. It's possible to find furniture at less than you would pay in most other stores (and I checked a lot of them before settling on this one). It's a huge, well lit, shop with all the furniture laid out in attractive groups, to appear as they would look in a home setting. Definitely recommended.

Refreshingly different, the friendly salesperson was very smart and spent a lot of time with us, we…read morewere provided with tea and biscuits by a very attractive blonde, and we watched as another customer was brolly escorted to their car in the pouring rain. The store is well lit and organised and there is plenty of on site parking available. Worth going just for the hot blonde.

M and R get my DIY vote. This family-run builders merchant and decorating supplier are well…read morestocked, reasonably priced and open late on a Saturday (most builders merchants close at 12 on a Saturday). I've brought a lintel, some silicone, a lock and lengths of wood from M and R. I've found them chatty and knowledgable. It's very easy to just drive in and load up your van or car, without attempting to find a place to park on the busy and double yellowed Cowbridge road. Two beautiful Alsatians guard the yard after dark and a caravan is tucked in the corner. I'm not sure who lives in it, it may be a fancy kennel for the Alsatians I fancy. M and R is great for both the professional builder and DIY enthusiast alike.

M&R Decorators Supplies is like a builder's arts and crafts store, or like walking into your mate's…read moreunreasonably large garage and digging out the supplies you want to borrow. With brown boxes stacked high, M&R is not your John Lewis of decorators' stores, but the wide selection seems to the main draw here, with massive vats of paint 10-year-old children can pile into, as well as a range of wallpaper, some priced as low as £3.99. They have everything here - Dulux and Johnson and Leyland trade paints, rolls of linoleum flooring, painting supplies, fence coating, poly filler and pretty much anything else you'd need to complete a house project. Early opening hours means you can get started early, but be aware they're closed on Sunday, so you'll have to save your browsing for the weekdays.

I really must apologise for the picture of Accent On Lighting, as the lack of a window display does…read morenot do this business justice. Their displays are usually really imaginative and impressive, and I have obviously visited the shop and taken a photo when they were renewing their look! Hopefully you will be able to see beyond this and view some of the light fittings to the rear. I'm afraid I'm a bit of a sucker for lighting and probably own three times too many lamps than I need. Some are stored away, but I occasionally get round to rotating them and so this lavishness is somewhat justified! But lighting is important don't you think!?! Accent On Lighting is a particularly fine shop which rarely stocks something that I don't like. They have a good range of stock that should appeal to almost everyone's taste, and they also carry a products that span a pretty broad price range, and so again there is something for everyone here.

If you live in Cardiff and you need any kind of new lighting fixtures this place is your number one…read morestop! Accenture Lighting sells everything from, chandeliers, to wall scones, to floor and table lamps. This place is specialist with a capital S and the staff know their products inside out! I personally would recommend their Tiffany lamps, which are in a word gorgeous, and oh so totally vintage. As a specialist shop in lighting you can expect the prices to be high, but thankfully not astronomical.

Italian furniture maker Natuzzi has opened a new store in Cardiff Bay, making it an ideal shopping…read moreMecca for the discerning furniture buyer. Only I'm not sure I'm taken with a lot of the stuff here (not like I'm really qualified as a "discerning home furnishing buyer"). The shop floor is expansive and well-presented, but shag carpets and leather sofas aren't really my style and smacks of desperate bachelor pad. In any case, the furniture and accessories appear to be well-crafted, and would more than likely outlast any Billy bookcase from IKEA down the road. The sales assistants here are helpful and willing to give you advice or equally happy to leave you alone. Please note there's no parking on site, but right across the street is a pay-by-the-hour car park (just don't park on Havannah Street as the meter maids will get you).

We purchased a sofa from this store last week, Angela was very knowledgeable, helpful - and patient…read morewith us! We've ordered a beautiful Natuzzi domino and cant wait for it to come.

I have a love affair with Smeg appliances, I may not own any but it doesn't mean I can't look. If…read moreyou're looking for a supplier of such things in the Vale Of Glamorgan (or just looking at them like I do) then this is your best bet. It's a little independent shop but it packs a punch, selling shiny and wonderful fantasy things as well as more traditional kitchen appliances and supplies. There's a wide range of the big, (Ovens and Fridges) the small, (microwaves and kettles) and everything in between. Probably the best place to pick up something quirky and original that you won't find down the local Argos.

A superb shop! Friendly service and a range of top quality products that makes you feel as though…read moreyou're in a sweet shop with all the drooling! We visited this shop a few years ago and were impressed with the range and quality of goods on offer and came away with a set of Le Creuset pans which have had much use since and are all still in tip-top condition. The advice and service we had at the time from the shop owners was second to none - friendly and informative. All in all a lovely 'local' shop in the heart of Barry. We live in the North of England and as such aren't often in Barry but when we next come down we are sure to visit 1st Choice. Highly recommended - even if only for that 'sweet shop feeling'!

Madam McLovely dragged me round here the other day. Really didn't want to go in there, but with a…read moreforced smile I entered the dreaded Lakeland. Oh how my reservations subsided instantly as we walked round. Men, it's essentially a gadgets store! I was held back many a time in the spacious, brightly light wooden floored shop. I'm not quite sure what half the things were I was playing with, but was told by my lovely chops that the store had everything you needed and more for cooking. With great gadgets, come great prices and you won't get your Ikea deals here though. A special mention must go to the super nice staff. Probably feeling sorry for my other half as I bombed around like a child, they spoke extensively to her and seemed genuinely friendly without forcing a sale. So next time your dragged in Lakeland lads, just close your eyes and believe yourself to be a gadget shop to get you through.

Lakeland has long been a slightly guilty pleasure of mine (I'm far too young to be getting excited…read moreover kitchen accessories). Unfortunately I don't think this Lakeland is anywhere near as good as the old one opposite House of Fraser on Wharton Street. Whilst they have a nice selection of Kitchen utensils, and accessories, it's no way near enough. The lay out of the store is rather cramped. So give this a miss!